The beginning of our story starts roughly around 3,000 years ago in the ancient Greek area of Ithaca with the birth of a male child (Odysseus) to Anticlea (granddaughter of the trickster god Hermes) and Laërtes (grandson of Cephalus a great warrior).Odysseus eventually grows up marries Penelope (daughter of Icarius), has a son named Telemachus, and becomes King of Ithaca. Odysseus gets called off to a ten year war named the Trojan War (1194–1184 BC ) where he proves he is a great and skillful warrior and a superior tactician that wins great respect amongst his peers and enemies alike. Odysseus made his reputation in the Trojan War, and kept it with the saving of his men from the Lotus eaters on the journey home, and by once again defeating the Cyclops and saving his men. Odysseus is most famous in “The Odyssey” for his ten year journey home where he kept his composure and never lost sight of his goal which was returning home to his wife and son. Odysseus was held captive by Circe (the witch goddess) on the island of Calypso for seven out of the ten years. Odysseus finally escapes Circe and enlists the help of his allies who aid in the return to his homeland where he cleverly enters his homeland under disguise and finds he is outnumbered by his wife’s suitors and cleverly devises a competition that only he can win with his family’s help to outsmart and disarm the suitors so that he may defeat the suitors and take his family and kingdom back.
Historical Context
Society often defines a hero as a mythological or legendary figure of divine descent with great strength, ability, noble qualities, and achievements. There were many characters during this time who displayed at least one or maybe a combination of the above mentioned qualities. For instance we learned about Achilles in our readings and undoubtedly he was a great warrior and praised by many as a hero. It appears that he only displayed one or a combination of qualities; he was by no means the total package and his motives were questionable at best. Odysseus appears to be the best fit in the total package category. For instance it is rumored that Odysseus opposed the Trojan War and attempted to get out of being involved, but once called upon he went and gave his best effort that undoubtedly saved many of his allies’ lives through his dedication and superior command of tactics and intelligence. He never quit or showed questionable motives during the Trojan War, or his journey home. He was relentless in saving his men from the lotus eaters and attempting to bring his men home. He was also detrimental in escaping from the Cyclops and once again attempting to bring his men home. In the end his men were responsible for their own demise and nearly the demise of Odysseus and responsible for him being stranded on the island of Calypso. If Odysseus would have had more men like himself and less like Achilles the story of The Odyssey may not even exist. I believe Odysseus set an excellent example for a hero and leader of his time and one that can still be used today in modern times. His dedication, tactics, and intelligence may very well be the model we use to today in conflicts.
Synopsis
Society defines heroes in multiple different ways among many cultures. Homer has shown us great men and warriors some may or may not be heroes per se. Odysseus through many trials and tribulations proved his meddle and stood the test of time. Odysseus never abandoned his men, his followers, his family, or his goals he kept on going even when the odds were stacked against him. Odysseus was not only loyal to his men and comrades he used his gifts or intellect to help spare and save their lives not only in the Trojan War. Odysseus’s motives were never questionable as a matter of fact his motives were the example. Odysseus was a great warrior, leader, countrymen, and family man. Odysseus through his brilliant thinking was able to save his son from the evil motives of his wife’s suitors. Odysseus never appeared to be out to make a reputation for himself or out to see how much wealth he could acquire, nor were his actions out of selfishness or anger. Odysseus put his gifts to work for his people and most of his suffrage was not at his own faith, it was at the hand of his own men or for the good of others. Odysseus always put his best foot forward with the best of intentions. Odysseus set the example that one can achieve greatness and not by how much wealth he acquired, or how brutal he was as a warrior, but merely by doing his best and putting the interest of his people first. Odysseus clearly defines the traits and definition of a true hero.
Interpretation
We have seen that different societies and cultures place different values on what they consider heroes. My thesis is simple; Odysseus clearly defines the definition of a hero in the purist form that few can debate. Odysseus was clearly a hero and role model of his time, and I believe him to be a hero still today and role model for all times. If our leaders, politicians, and generals had half the fortitude of Odysseus this country and world would be in a lot better shape. Odysseus may be a hard act to follow, but he is a man for men to try and emulate. Odysseus sets the stage for those truly aspiring greatness for the right reason to use as a model. We have many great men in the world today, but very few with the right mindset and purist intent. Great men come and go but, few have and will leave the mark that Odysseus has left on the world. Odysseus may have been ahead of his time and may very well be the true owner of the title of father of modern warfare.
Questions
What is Odysseus most famous for during the Trojan War ?
Where is Odysseus from ?
Who was Odysseus held captive by for seven years ?
THE LEGEND OF A HERO
The beginning of our story starts roughly around 3,000 years ago in the ancient Greek area of Ithaca with the birth of a male child (Odysseus) to Anticlea (granddaughter of the trickster god Hermes) and Laërtes (grandson of Cephalus a great warrior).Odysseus eventually grows up marries Penelope (daughter of Icarius), has a son named Telemachus, and becomes King of Ithaca. Odysseus gets called off to a ten year war named the Trojan War (1194–1184 BC ) where he proves he is a great and skillful warrior and a superior tactician that wins great respect amongst his peers and enemies alike. Odysseus made his reputation in the Trojan War, and kept it with the saving of his men from the Lotus eaters on the journey home, and by once again defeating the Cyclops and saving his men. Odysseus is most famous in “The Odyssey” for his ten year journey home where he kept his composure and never lost sight of his goal which was returning home to his wife and son. Odysseus was held captive by Circe (the witch goddess) on the island of Calypso for seven out of the ten years. Odysseus finally escapes Circe and enlists the help of his allies who aid in the return to his homeland where he cleverly enters his homeland under disguise and finds he is outnumbered by his wife’s suitors and cleverly devises a competition that only he can win with his family’s help to outsmart and disarm the suitors so that he may defeat the suitors and take his family and kingdom back.Orgin
Society often defines a hero as a mythological or legendary figure of divine descent with great strength, ability, noble qualities, and achievements. There were many characters during this time who displayed at least one or maybe a combination of the above mentioned qualities. For instance we learned about Achilles in our readings and undoubtedly he was a great warrior and praised by many as a hero. It appears that he only displayed one or a combination of qualities; he was by no means the total package and his motives were questionable at best. Odysseus appears to be the best fit in the total package category. For instance it is rumored that Odysseus opposed the Trojan War and attempted to get out of being involved, but once called upon he went and gave his best effort that undoubtedly saved many of his allies’ lives through his dedication and superior command of tactics and intelligence. He never quit or showed questionable motives during the Trojan War, or his journey home. He was relentless in saving his men from the lotus eaters and attempting to bring his men home. He was also detrimental in escaping from the Cyclops and once again attempting to bring his men home. In the end his men were responsible for their own demise and nearly the demise of Odysseus and responsible for him being stranded on the island of Calypso. If Odysseus would have had more men like himself and less like Achilles the story of The Odyssey may not even exist. I believe Odysseus set an excellent example for a hero and leader of his time and one that can still be used today in modern times. His dedication, tactics, and intelligence may very well be the model we use to today in conflicts.Historical Context
Society defines heroes in multiple different ways among many cultures. Homer has shown us great men and warriors some may or may not be heroes per se. Odysseus through many trials and tribulations proved his meddle and stood the test of time. Odysseus never abandoned his men, his followers, his family, or his goals he kept on going even when the odds were stacked against him. Odysseus was not only loyal to his men and comrades he used his gifts or intellect to help spare and save their lives not only in the Trojan War. Odysseus’s motives were never questionable as a matter of fact his motives were the example. Odysseus was a great warrior, leader, countrymen, and family man. Odysseus through his brilliant thinking was able to save his son from the evil motives of his wife’s suitors. Odysseus never appeared to be out to make a reputation for himself or out to see how much wealth he could acquire, nor were his actions out of selfishness or anger. Odysseus put his gifts to work for his people and most of his suffrage was not at his own faith, it was at the hand of his own men or for the good of others. Odysseus always put his best foot forward with the best of intentions. Odysseus set the example that one can achieve greatness and not by how much wealth he acquired, or how brutal he was as a warrior, but merely by doing his best and putting the interest of his people first. Odysseus clearly defines the traits and definition of a true hero.Synopsis
We have seen that different societies and cultures place different values on what they consider heroes. My thesis is simple; Odysseus clearly defines the definition of a hero in the purist form that few can debate. Odysseus was clearly a hero and role model of his time, and I believe him to be a hero still today and role model for all times. If our leaders, politicians, and generals had half the fortitude of Odysseus this country and world would be in a lot better shape. Odysseus may be a hard act to follow, but he is a man for men to try and emulate. Odysseus sets the stage for those truly aspiring greatness for the right reason to use as a model. We have many great men in the world today, but very few with the right mindset and purist intent. Great men come and go but, few have and will leave the mark that Odysseus has left on the world. Odysseus may have been ahead of his time and may very well be the true owner of the title of father of modern warfare.Interpretation
Questions
Sources